2016 has seen a significant rise in violent crime ahead of the Olympics. However, street crime and express kidnappings remain the predominant threats to foreign nationals amid a heightened security force presence in Rio, writes Lloyd Belton
Over the last three years, Brazilians have weathered sporadic protests that have shifted in focus and composition, leaving the future of Brazil's social fabric uncertain. Will Rio 2016 see a re-emergence of unrest or a general dormancy of social tensions as experienced during the 2014 World Cup, Stephanie Bergeman investigates.
With little evidence to suggest that Islamic State has the capacity to stage a coordinated attack against the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Brazilian authorities have focused counter-terrorism preparations on the lone-actor threat, writes Lloyd Belton.
Despite fears cited by international media and several prominent athletes, most concerns surrounding Zika virus transmission at the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro are largely unfounded, writes Sunette Klopper.
While touted as a holistic approach to the region's gang problem, the latest tri-national anti-crime initiative in Central America is unlikely to succeed, writes Lloyd Belton.
Although Colombia's Congress has now passed the renegotiated FARC peace deal, a number of significant hurdles remain before it can be implemented, writes Lloyd Belton.
As negotiations between opposition and government representatives look set to collapse, resolving Venezuela's political deadlock and growing economic problems largely depends on the military's next move, writes Lloyd Belton.
Significant improvements in the security environment are likely in Colombia, where, barring significant delays, the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC) militant group is expected to demobilise in the first half of the year.
A severe economic crisis and intensifying organised crime turf war in Rio de Janeiro are likely to drive a further deterioration in the city's security environment, writes Lloyd Belton.
Trump's first few weeks in power have created significant economic turmoil south of the border, potentially tainting Mexico's investment outlook and fundamentally shaking up the country's political establishment, writes Lloyd Belton.
The Ejército de Liberación Nacional looks set to continue to rely on criminally and politically-motivated kidnappings to increase its bargaining power during ongoing peace talks, writes Lloyd Belton.